Toward Sunday, July 13, 2014

Scripture:  Matthew 13:1-9 (The Parable of the Sower)
Sermon:  Sow Much

Jesus' parable of the sower reminds us of a number of comfortable and uncomfortable truths about life in this world:

• God does not force God's will on the world
• God constantly plants seeds and sows possibilities into all kinds of situations -- in fact, into every situation, place and heart
• there are many ways in which what God desires is frustrated, resisted and undone, and we need not be surprised by them
• but still, the harvest is astounding (as Jesus says earlier as well, in Matthew 9:37)

Jesus' story is about God, and it raises lots of questions for us as God's people and followers of Jesus -- probably 30, 60 or 100, including:

• How and where do I plant seeds and sow possibilities as a servant of God?
• Am I myself a seed that God scatters into the world?
• How and when am I different kinds of soil, bearing different results?
• Do I recognize holy growth in the world and in others, and do I help to harvest it?
• How does the image of the sower affect how I pray for God's will to be done in any given situation?

Here's a few more depictions of The Sower.  What does each say to you?  We may have another look at them (and more) on Sunday.